Writing academic paper on terrorism

Friday, 27 March 2015.

Although there is no universal definition for terrorism, there are some common elements in most of its definitions. Terrorism has been used by some of the countries that are powerful in the implementation of their programmes throughout the world, particularly against individuals or States with different views. The purpose of this paper is to study the definition of terrorism, common components and to illustrate how the most powerful States regulate international relations by using the term. Acts of terrorism have been defined by these powerful States to serve their interests, to manipulate international relations and, at the same time, to distance themselves from terrorist acts that they actually perform in disguise

United Nations General Assembly resolution 49⁄60 defines terrorism as a criminal act designed to provoke a state of terror in society or, above all, a group of persons or persons for political purposes that cannot be justified in any way (Nesi 26). The Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism defines it as any threat or act of violence, regardless of the motives that occur within the framework of the criminal process, which may be collective or individual in nature, with the aim of damaging the environment, the public, the infrastructure or the threat to national resources (Amnesty International 27). In the US, terrorism is defined as acts or actions that pose a threat to life that violates U.S. criminal law or any other State, with the primary purpose of intimidation or coercion of the civilian population, affecting government policies or influencing government activities through mass destruction, murder or abduction (White 7). Some of the components that are common in definitions include civil, political motivations and violence

The definitions of terrorism are defined by those who record wars and are considered appropriate when it comes to the enemies of terrorism and, at the same time, as terrorism itself, not to mention that it could lead to disastrous consequences. The mandate to determine who is a terrorist is a powerful country and also determines whether they should be punished. Those countries used terrorism to manage international relations in a way that would ensure that their interests were met. Their attacks, which are under the leadership of the State, are never considered terrorist acts, but rather humanitarian efforts or self-defence as such, taking into account citizens who have suffered from other countries as collateral damage

The Government’s response to acts of terrorism was likely to restrict individual rights and to violate human rights in the name of national security. This case was evident in Chile, where the United States Government, under President Nixon’s rule, took part in the overthrow of the President of Chile, Salvador Allende, led by the socialist government. The United States offered support to opposition parties for its leadership, and they even helped to blow up the presidential palace in Chile, overthrowing the government and ending civilian rule. As a result of the coup, the Supreme Commander of the Chilean Army Augusto Pinochet became president. Thus, the US is able to access the Chilean economy once again, and has trained the Chilean army, how they can suppress the rebels, as well as other opposition groups in Chile

The programme was known as the School of America, and it provided military training for central and South American personnel who were disguised as the defence of democracy. During Pinochet’s dictatorship, disappearances and arbitrary arrests of people who were considered a threat were common, and they were particularly targeted at people who were linked to Communist ideologies and parties. School leavers are also among the dictators who are the most oppressed in Latin America, and their actions are most brutal and inhumane throughout the world (Gutierrez 138-140). Thus, the School of America is a good example of State terrorism, based on high incidents of human rights violations committed by school leavers from their home countries. Countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia no longer send soldiers to these schools, and as a result, they are called undemocratic governments and see them as a potential threat to national security

Such schools, concerned by the war on terrorism, continue to exist after 11

Such suspicions lead to in-depth interrogations, which are related to physical or psychological torture, denunciations or other experiences threatening the lives of people on suspicion (Mayer para 3-4). The US has also invested heavily in unmanned aerial vehicles used to collect information on terrorism around the world, most of which are in Africa. Some of these aircraft were used in a series of attacks allegedly targeted against terrorists, but they terrorized civilians so that entire families were killed by air strikes targeting individuals who are simply suspected of terrorism (Wolverton para 8-14)